Servicing prices disparity between DC and franchised dealer?

[TimboL]

Servicing prices disparity between DaimlerChrysler-owned and franchised dealers?

In July of this year, I had the a/c on my SL re-gassed (and tested for leaks) at Mercedes-Benz South West, Taunton, for which they charged £55.08 before VAT. I didn't think that was an unreasonable price: the estimable George Faser at Alperton previously did it about a year ago for £60 before VAT.

I am now reading through today's truly stupendous bill from Mercedes-Benz Temple Fortune for what was meant to have been a one-spanner service plus an a/c regas for my A160, and I see that they have charged £145 before VAT for re-gassing the a/c.

Is there any plausible explanation for the scale of this disparity? Can that really be accounted for by the difference in the costs to the dealers of providing that service in Somerset vs in North London?

It is not necessary to reply that I need my head examined. I do not expect to be darkening the doors of Mercedes-Benz Temple Fortune again.

Apologies if this subject has been discussed before - I tried the forum search thing, but did not turn anything up.

[Parrot of Doom]

The A-class is a much tighter vehicle to work on than the SL, perhaps they had to do a fair bit of work to access one or both of the charging points? I know that on my W210 one point is easy to reach (under the bonnet), but the other one is by the evaporator and needs a few minutes to pull things off. Perhaps getting to either on an A-class involves removing the bumper or such?

I agree it sounds very expensive.

[Tino]

An Aircon regas on a 168 A class should be around an hour, which should be approx £124 plus vat. The gas should also add around a £30-40 subcon charge for the gas itself. The SL has the same standard time.
It seems that when doing the SL, you were only charged around 1/2 hour, and no gas cost. Thats a bargain! I would stick to that dealer like glue!